November 21, 2008

Morrow out indefinitely

In a frustrating season, the Stars got the worst news possible on captain Brenden Morrow: He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, and he's out for at least six months. Like I said, this is absolutely awful news for a team that's already struggling to fix so many issues. Morrow had five goals and 10 assists so far this season. Just got off the phone with coach Dave Tippett and co-general manager Les Jackson. Obviously, both sounded very down. Here's Tippett: "This is certainly a huge blow, not just to our team but personally for him. It's going to be a test to our will and character on how close this group can get on the common goal of winning."

Jackson said he and co-GM Brett Hull will be talking with owner Tom Hicks ASAP and see what they have available to work with. Obviously, the Stars need to do something, and Morrow would go on long-term injured reserve. Would think that would shore up some cash. Jackson didn't want to get too much into that part of the conversation tonight. He was figuring the news wouldn't be that bad.

Morrow wasn't up to talking tonight, so he'll be available tomorrow morning at the skate. We'll see what he has to say then. Morrow scored in the first period last night and was playing a pretty good game for the Stars. But something happened there in the third period, and he limped off with about six minutes remaining. Still, Tippett said Morrow talked to him this morning and said he felt fine. But what you feel and what the MRI shows are two very different things. Mike Modano explained it this way:

"When I ruptured my tendons (in my foot), it didn’t feel like it. You just don’t have a certain movement. But there was no pain, I could walk around on it. But as far as function and being useful, that was nonexistent. Same with that ACL. In the past, guys played without ACLs in hockey. Now in this day and age, with the speed of the game, for the long haul best to get (the surgery) done."

Also, the Stars recalled Landon Wilson, son of associate coach Rick Wilson. from Grand Rapids. He will be here tomorrow.

This is going to be tougher on Morrow than the rest. He can only watch.

As Tippett indicated, the reaction of the other players will tell if this is a 'team'. Do we give up or step up and be the team. I'm not one of those, as I've read some other places, that want to dump the older players and throw the young guys into the fire. Some consider the season lost. That may have been anyway. If this doesn't wake everyone up and cause them to be a team, nothing will. This is more difficult than if the GM's fired Tippett. Just hope Jere can make it back without further problems.